BUFFALO ROCK CITY (Western New York’s Tribute To KISS) – Solo Obsession *HQ* *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

And here’s in exclusive more from the impressive BUFFALO ROCK CITY combo KISS THIS! / Tribute to KISS. On this hard to find volume titled “Solo Obsession” they cover songs from Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter 1978 Solo albums. Two songs were selected from each of the 1978 “KISS” solo albums, plus one song from each member’s post KISS solo records to cover.
While the first “Buffalo Rock City” album and “Buffalo Rock City II” both featured recordings of songs done by the co-writers of the tracks they helped create (Mitch Weissman singing “While the City Sleeps” and Jean Beauvoir singing “Who Wants to Be Lonely”), “Solo Obsession” producers John Jeffrey, Dave Comer & John Peace decided in addition to working with other great Western New York musicians, they wanted to push the envelope once again, and this time, actually recruit original performers who had played on some of the original tracks, to recreate their parts for “Solo Obsession.”

The list of musicians featured on “Solo Obsession” who played on the original recordings consist of: Brad Fernquist (lead guitarist from the Goo Goo Dolls) – who played all guitars on “All About You” (originally from Paul Stanley’s 2006 solo album “Live To Win”), Mitch Weissman (Beatlemania) recreated his originally harmony vocals on “Mr. Make Believe” (from Gene Simmons 1978 “KISS” solo album), and Tod Howarth (Frehley’s Comet) added all of his signature vocals he originally did on “Insane” (from the 1988 Frehley’s Comet album “Second Sighting”), which was also done in tribute to the passing of Howarth’s good friend, bassist John Regan (Frehley’s Comet/Peter Frampton).
While the producers were unsuccessful in getting legendary guitarist Steve Lukather to play on the 2 great Peter Criss songs he originally performed on (“Hooked On Rock ‘N’ Roll” from Peter’s 1978 “KISS” solo release, and “Let It Go” from 1982’s “Let Me Rock You”), they were able to get the next best thing from guitarist / producer Tommy Denander.

In addition to performing on records by Paul Stanley (Denander is also a featured guitarist on Stanley’s “Live To Win” release) and playing guitar and co-producing records for Alice Cooper, Tommy has a very connected history with Steve Lukather. Denander is the only non (official) Toto member to have recorded albums with every single member of Toto, including some of the obscure ones, plus he was the band leader for Bobby Kimball and Fergie Frederiksen for decades.

The icing on the cake for “Solo Obsession” is the addition of legendary metal singer, Tim “Ripper” Owens. Mostly known his time in Judas Priest and currently in original Judas Priest guitarist’s band KK’s Priest – Owens was recruited to sing the Gene Simmon’s song “Carnival of Souls.”
“Carnival of Souls” was co-written by guitarist / songwriter Scott Van Zen and while Simmons released the track on his 2004 solo opus “Asshole” the origin of the song dates back to the early 1990’s. There are various demo permutations of the track as it was originally intended for the KISS album, “Carnival of Souls”, and later submitted in a more completed form for KISS’ 1998 ‘Reunion’ record, “Psycho Circus.”
The version of the song recorded for “Solo Obsession” is based upon the version intended for “Psycho Circus” which Simmons officially released on his own Boxed Set, “The Vault.” Ripper singing “Carnival of Souls” is the first time he has ever recorded anything KISS related. Everyone is excited for the response to this epic performance, from not only the KISS fan base, but from those who have followed Owens throughout his career.

These are great songs, acquiring new life in the hands of KISS THIS! / BUFFALO ROCK CITY pro musicians. Very well performed, executed and produced, “Solo Obsession” is a great one, now out of print.
Highly Recommended

You saw it here first on 0dayrox

01 – Wouldn’t You Like To Know Me
02 – Insane (ft. Tod Howarth of Frehley’s Comet)
03 – All About You (ft. Brad Fernquist of Goo Goo Dolls)
04 – Mr. Make Believe (ft. Dave Comer & Mitch Weissman)
05 – Hooked On Rock ‘N’ Roll (ft. Tommy Denander)
06 – Wiped Out (ft. Dave Comer of KillSET)
07 – Carnival of Souls (ft. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
08 – Let It Go (ft. Dave Comer & Tommy Denander)
09 – What’s On Your Mind (ft. John Jeffrey)
10 – Man of 1000 Faces (ft. Taylor Stursa)
11 – I Can’t Stop the Rain
12 – Goodbye (ft. Dave Comer of KillSET)

The Starchild, Kevin Blakita – lead guitar/vocals
The Space Ace, John Jeffrey – lead guitar/vocals
The Catman, Billy Eberts – drums/vocals
The Demon, Taylor Stursa – bass/vocals
with;
Chad Clark (drums)
Joe Tell (guitar)
Jim Heaton (keyboards)
John Young (bass)
Nat Peace (vocals, bass)
and many more

Out of print